Shaquille O’Neal Shines During ‘Inside the NBA’ Finals Debut

Bill Simmons has called out Shaquille O’Neal as the weak link in TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA cast. I don’t know what coverage the Sports Guy is watching. But in my book, Diesel is bringing the heat to his analysis of this year’s NBA Finals for the legendary studio show, which is now licensed to ABC/ESPN.

While other analysts are ripping Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs for their allegedly “dirty” play, O’Neal praised them for playing the aggressive, physical basketball they needed to climb out of a 2-0 series deficit against the red-hot Knicks.

O’Neal had several strong moments during ABC/ESPN’s coverage of Game 3 coverage Tuesday night.

With the Knicks holding a 64-57 lead at halftime, O’Neal zeroed in on a pivotal play where the 7’4” Wembanyama threw 6’2” Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the hardwood like a rag doll.

Charles Barkley thought it was a “dirty” play. So did ABC’s announce crew of Tim Legler, Richard Jefferson and Mike Breen. But O’Neal—one of the most dominating centers in NBA history at 7’1”, 325 pounds—begged to differ. The Alien was effectively punking the smaller Brunson on his own home court. The passive Knicks didn’t fight back.

“Listen, this is what you want to see from your big man. I like that move right there; you’ve got to let those little munchkins know,” said the Diesel.

O’Neal didn’t win four NBA championships, and three NBA Finals MVPs, by playing nice. He dominated the court physically—even against bruising teams like Patrick Ewing’s 1990’s Knicks. There’s more than one way to win a ‘chip. As the stepson of a career Army drill sergeant, O’Neal values discipline and toughness as much as skill.

As he told host Ernie Johnson: “Some people want to win by tactics. Some people want to win by killing you. Wemby you keep doing it. That ain’t no dirty play. Get your little ass out the way. I’m not winning by tactics Ernie. I’m busting your ass. Thank you, Wemby.”

When New York coach Mike Brown whined about the officiating after his team’s 115-111 home loss at Madison Square Garden, both O’Neal and Barkley gave him a reminder: real Champions don’t complain. They adapt, persevere and overcome. 

“When I was good enough to lead my team to the Finals, one time I had a bad game. Phil Jackson said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘I didn’t get no calls,’” O’Neal recalled. “He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Real champions don’t complain.’ And he walked off. Mike Brown knows better. He’s won with the Warriors. He knows what it takes to win the championship. I agree with Chuck. You didn’t play well. You should have played better at home.”

Will it change the series? We’ll find out in Game 4 Wednesday night. But regardless of which team ultimately hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of this series, Shaq has already emerged as one of the Finals’ early winners.